Connector for sectional table tops



Nov. 8, 1955 E. CARDER 2,723,171

CONNECTOR FOR SECTIONAL TABLE TOPS Filed March 10, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 72 97. Z. /z //5 I I W I T f y l6 5 35 /7 w /0 HA Mi. 75 z j: x 26 3 INVENTOR 0a rdem ATTORNEYS United States Patent CONNECTOR FOR SECTIONAL TABLE TOPS Earle H. Carder, Reno, Nev.

Application March 10, 1954, Serial No. 415,315

1 Claim. (Cl. 311-4) This invention relates to an improved means for coupling a pair of tables together.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved coupling or locking means whereby two tables may be locked together to form a long table for use at banquets or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved table locking means which can be secured to the present construction of tables for locking a pair of tables together in end abutting relation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a table locking means for locking two tables together in end abutting relation which is so constructed and arranged that the locking means is concealed beneath the table tops so that the tables may be used singly with no projections at their ends.

A further object of this invention is to provide a springpressed table locking means for locking two tables together wherein the tables may be easily and quickly separated.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention consists in the arrangement, combination and details of construction disclosed in the drawings and specification, and then more particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary detailed side elevation of a pair of tables disposed in end abutting relation and secured together by a locking means constructed according to an embodiment of this invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the tables.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is an end elevation of one of the keeper members.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 77 of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings, the numerals 10 and 11 designate generally a pair of conventional tables having flat tops 12 and 13 respectively, and legs 14 and 15 respec' tively.

In order to provide a means whereby two tables may be locked together in end abutting relation, I have provided a releasable locking means which includes a boxshaped keeper, generally indicated at 16, and a springpressed locking bolt 17 carried by a bolt housing 18.

The keeper 16 is formed of opposite end walls 19 and 20, opposite side walls 21, and upper horizontal flanges 22 through which fastening members 23 are adapted to engage for securing the keeper 16 on the lower side of the top 12. The end wall 20, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, is

formed with an elongated opening 24 which merges with an upwardly flared opening 25.

The bolt housing 18 is formed of opposite side walls 26, and opposite end walls 27, with oppositely extending upper flanges 28 which extend from the side walls 26 and through which fastening means 29 may be extended for securing the bolt housing 18 to the lower side of the top 13.

The bolt 17 is formed of an elongated round shank 30 having a head 31 at its outer end, and the shank 30 loosely engages through openings 32 formed in the end walls 27. The opposite or inner end of the shank 17 has mounted thereona knob 33 and a spring 34 is interposed between the knob 33 and the adjacent inner end wall 27 so as to constantly urge the head 31 toward the adjacent outer wall 27.

The flared opening 25 in end wall 20 of the keeper member 16 provides a means whereby the head 31 may be extended interiorly of the keeper housing 16 and the head then moved downwardly on the inner side of wall 20 with the bolt shank 30 engaging in the horizontally elongated opening 24. When the shank 30 is in the opening 24 the head 31 will hold the shank against removal from the keeper housing 16 and the spring 34 will tend to draw the tables together in end abutting relation.

The tables may be locked together by initially raising table 11 so that the heads 31 of the bolts 17 will be disposed in a position to be extended through the V-shaped openings 25. The bolts 17 are then manually pushed forwardly whereupon the table 11 may be dropped downwardly until the shanks 30 of each bolt are disposed in the keeper openings 24.

The tables may be easily and quickly unlocked or re-' leased by raising table 11 until the bolt head 31 is in the V-shaped opening 25 whereupon spring 34 will move the bolt head 31 from keeper 16.

This table locking means will provide a means whereby tables, such as tables used for banquets or the like, may be firmly locked together in end abutting relation so that the tables can not be jarred out of alignment or partially separated during the use of the tables in end abutting relation.

What is claimed is:

A table locking means for locking two tables together comprising a keeper housing formed of a pair of parallel side walls, a pair of end walls fixed between said side walls, a bottom wall, an upper laterally projecting flange carried by each side wall, one of said end walls having a keeper opening therein, said opening being of substantially V-shape and terminating at its lower end in an elongated oval opening, a bolt housing, means securing said bolt housing to the lower side of the top of the other table, a

headed bolt slidably carried by said bolt housing having a locking head projecting from one end of said bolt housing, said locking head being engageable through said V-shaped portion of said keeper opening and engaging on the inner side of said one end wall confronting said oval opening, and a spring about said bolt constantly urging said locking head toward said bolt housing. 

